Sound apparatus

ABSTRACT

To provide a simple sound apparatus in which an excellent sound effect can always be obtained. There are provided a seat portion  110  having a backrest portion  113  and a stool portion  114 , a pair of closed-loop-shaped main frames  120  respectively attached to both side edges of the seat portion, and a sub-frame  130  including a vibrating unit  150  and connected to at least one of the main frames, and vibration generated from the vibrating unit is transmitted to the seat portion through at least one of the main frames.

[0001] A sound apparatus characterized by comprising:

[0002] a seat portion having a backrest portion and a stool portion;

[0003] a pair of closed-loop-shaped main frames respectively attached toboth side edges of the seat portion; and

[0004] a sub-frame including a vibrating unit and connected to at leastone of the main frames,

[0005] wherein vibration generated from the vibrating unit istransmitted to the seat portion through at least one of the main frames.

[0006] A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main framescomprise armrest frames attached to both side edges of the backrestportion, ground frames, front leg frames attached to both side edges ofthe stool portion and connected to one end of the armrest frames and oneend of the ground frames, and rear leg frames connected to the other endof the armrest frames and the other end of the ground frames, and

[0007] wherein one end of the sub-frame is connected to the front legframe and the other end is connected to the rear leg frame.

[0008] A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibratingunit is disposed opposite to the backrest portion and apart therefrom.

[0009] A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cloth isstretched on at least one of the backrest portion and the stool portion,and the vibration generated from the vibrating unit is transmittedthrough the cloth to a user seated on the seat portion.

[0010] A sound apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cloth isstretched on a front surface and a rear surface of the backrest portion,and a front surface and a rear surface of the stool portion, and

[0011] a cushion member is interposed between the front surface and therear surface of the backrest portion and between the front surface andthe rear surface of the stool portion.

[0012] 1. Technical Field

[0013] The present invention relates to a sound apparatus, andparticularly to a chair type sound apparatus in which a vibrating unitis integrated.

[0014] 2. Prior Art

[0015] As a convention chair type sound apparatus in which a vibratingunit is integrated, for example, there is one disclosed in JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 179051/1999. In this sound apparatus, a speaker ishoused at both sides of an upper portion of a back board of a chairconstituted by a seat board and the back board, and a vibrating plate ishoused in a substantially center portion between the seat board and theback board, and this apparatus is designed such that a high sound areais transmitted through the speaker to a user seated on the chair, and alow sound area is transmitted through the vibrating plate.

[0016] Besides, as another conventional chair type sound apparatus inwhich a vibrating unit is integrated, there is one disclosed in JapaneseUtility Model Publication No. 3044587. This sound apparatus is designedsuch that a speaker for all sound area is housed at both sides of anupper portion of a backrest portion of a chair constituted by a sittingportion and the backrest portion, the inside of the sitting portion andthe backrest portion is made hollow, a speaker for a low-pitched soundis housed therein, all sound area is transmitted through the speaker forall sound area to a user seated on the chair, and a low sound area istransmitted through an opening portion provided in the sitting portionand the backrest portion.

[0017] In the foregoing conventional former chair type sound apparatusin which the vibrating unit is integrated, mechanical vibration of thelow sound area is generated by the vibrating plate which is brought intopress contact with part of the body of the user and is directlytransmitted to the user. On this account, since the vibration isdiffused to all the body of the user, there is a problem that thevibration is transmitted to unnecessary parts other than the part of thebody to which the vibration is to be originally given, and an unpleasantfeeling is given to the user. Besides, since the transmission state ofthe vibration is varied by a slight change of contact pressure betweenthe body of the user and the vibrating plate, there is a problem that itis difficult to always obtain an excellent sound effect.

[0018] Besides, in the foregoing conventional latter chair type soundapparatus in which the vibrating unit is integrated, it is necessarythat the inside of the sitting portion and the backrest portionconstituting the chair is formed to be hollow and the opening portion isprovided in the sitting portion and the backrest portion, there is aproblem that the manufacture requires labor and the manufacturing costbecomes high.

[0019] Further, in both the sound apparatuses, since the speakers aredisposed at both sides of both ears of the user, there is a problem thatin the case where an image apparatus is provided in front of the chair,and a picture image and a sound synchronized with that are appreciated,an uncomfortable feeling is given to the user.

[0020] Then, the present invention has an object to provide a simplesound apparatus which can solve the above problems and always obtain anexcellent sound effect.

[0021] According to the present invention, the above object is achievedby providing a seat portion having a backrest portion and a stoolportion, a pair of closed-loop-shaped main frames respectively attachedto both side edges of the seat portion, and a sub-frame including avibrating unit and connected to at least one of the main frames, and bytransmitting vibration generated from the vibrating unit to the seatportion through at least the one of the main frames.

[0022] According to the above structure, the vibrating unit is fixed tothe sub-frame connected to the main frame, the user can easily obtainthe best listening position by the seat portion, and the position isfixed, so that it becomes unnecessary to carefully adjust the positionof the speaker and the position of the user in order to produce a stereoeffect of sound and a 3D effect, and sound image orientation recorded atthe time of content production can be accurately and easily reproduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 A schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodimentof a sound apparatus of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 A side view of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 3 A plan view showing an arrangement of a pair of firstvibrating units of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 4 A block diagram showing a schematic example of a systemwhen an image apparatus such as a television and a disk apparatus suchas a DVD player are connected to the sound apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 5 A side view showing a comparison example with respect to astructure of a main frame of the sound apparatus of FIG.

[0028]FIG. 6 A side view showing a first comparison example with respectto an attachment structure of a second vibrating unit of the soundapparatus of FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 7 A side view showing a second comparison example withrespect to the attachment structure of the second vibrating unit of thesound apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 8 A side view showing a third comparison example with respectto the attachment structure of the second vibrating unit of the soundapparatus of FIG. 1.

[0031]FIG. 9 A side view showing a first comparison example with respectto a structure of a seat portion of the sound apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0032]FIG. 10 A side view showing a second comparison example withrespect to the structure of the seat portion of the sound apparatus ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention willbe described with reference to accompanying drawings in detail.

[0034] Incidentally, since the embodiments described below are preferredspecific examples of the present invention, although technicallypreferred various limitations are given, the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is adescription to limit the present invention particularly in the followingexplanation.

[0035]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a preferredembodiment of a sound apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 isa side view thereof.

[0036] This sound apparatus 100 has a so-called pipe chair shape, and isroughly constituted by a seat portion 110, a pair of main frames 120,120, a pair of sub-frames 130, 130, a pair of first vibrating units 140,140, a pair of second vibrating units 150, 150, and a control unit 160.

[0037] The seat portion 110 has a structure in which a cushion member112 is strongly stretched between a pair of pipes 111, 111, which arebent substantially L-shaped, so that a backrest portion 113 and a stoolportion 114 are formed. This cushion member 112 has such a structurethat a material of a front surface cloth is a mixture of cotton andpolyethylene (50% cotton, 50% polyethylene), a material of a rearsurface cloth is nylon, and urethane resin is inserted between the frontsurface and the rear surface.

[0038] As the material of this cloth, anything that can keep acomfortable sitting state since it is extended when a load is appliedand returns to its former state when the load is taken off, for example,leather is preferable to anything that gradually loses a comfortablesitting state since it is extended when a load is applied and it doesnot return to its former state when the load is taken off, for example,hemp cloth (canvas). Incidentally, it is sufficient if the cushionmember 112 is stretched on at least one of the backrest portion 113 andthe stool portion 114.

[0039] The pair of main frames 120, 120 are formed of pipes bentsubstantially trapezoid-shaped, and are respectively attached to bothside edges of the seat portion 110 by screws. The main frames 120 areformed into closed-loop shapes by armrest frames 121 attached to bothside edges of the backrest portion 113 by screws, ground frames 122 tocome in contact with a floor surface or the like, front leg frames 123attached to both side edges of the stool portion 114 by screws andintegrally connected to ends of the armrest frames 121 and ends of theground frames 122, and rear leg frames 124 integrally connected to theother ends of the armrest frames 121 and the other ends of the groundframes 122.

[0040] The pair of sub-frames 130, 130 are formed of pipes bentsubstantially L-shaped, their ends are respectively unitedly connectedto the front leg frames 123, 123, and the other ends are respectivelyunitedly connected to the rear leg frames 124, 124.

[0041] The pair of first vibrating units 140, 140 are for all sound areaand are high directional one-way speakers, and are respectively fixed byscrews to ends of respective wooden armrests 141, 141 attached onto thepair of armrest frames 121, 121. Like this, since the respectivevibrating units 140, 140 are attached to the ends of the respectivearmrests 141, 141, the sound image orientation becomes deeper than thefirst vibrating units 140, 140 when viewed from the user.

[0042] The pair of vibrating units 140, 140 are disposed so that theears of the user seated on the seat portion 110 are positioned in thevicinity of stereo orientation (best listening position). Further, thepair of first vibrating units 140, 140 are disposed so that a crosspoint position of vibrations generated from the first vibrating units140, 140 becomes behind of the head of the user seated on the seatportion 110.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of vibrating units140, 140 are disposed so that an angle θ between the vibrations W, Wgenerated from the respective vibrating units 140, 140 and a straightline C passing through the substantially center portion of the userseated on the seat portion 110 from the cross point position P has arange of a minimum angle θ1 of 28° and a maximum angle θ2 of 30°.

[0044] Incidentally, in view of a stereo feeling, it is preferable thatθ is not less than 20 degrees and not larger than 35 degrees, and ismore preferable that it is not less than 25 degrees and not larger than32 degrees.

[0045] Besides, in the case where θ is less than 28 degrees, a spreadingfeeling of sound becomes low, and the stereo effect goes down. On theother hand, in the case where θ is larger than 30 degrees, although thestereo effect is raised, the listening point becomes a pin point. Then,since recording is basically performed with a standard of from 28degrees to 30 degrees, in order to reproduce the recorded statefaithfully, it is desirable to make listening in the same environment.Thus, from the viewpoint of reproducing the recorded state faithfully,it is more preferable that θ is not less than 28 degrees and not largerthan 30 degrees.

[0046] The pair of second vibrating units 150, 150 are, for example,body sonic (trade name) for a low sound area, and they are arranged on awooden plate 151 and are respectively fixed by screws. Further, bothends of this plate 151 are attached by screws between the pair ofsub-frames 130, 130 so that the second vibrating units 150, 150 face thebackrest portion 113 and are separate therefrom.

[0047] The control unit 160 is an amplifier for controlling therespective first vibrating units 140, 140 and the second vibrating units150, 150, and are fixed to a wooden plate 161 by screws. Further, bothends of this plate 161 are attached between the pair of ground frames122, 122 by screws.

[0048] This control unit 160 is provided with a phase control terminalfor enabling the change of the phase of vibration generated from atleast one of the first vibrating units 140, 140 and the second vibratingunits 150, 150 according to the user seated on the seat portion 110.Further, there is provided a band control terminal for enabling thechange of the band of vibration generated from the second vibratingunits 150, 150 according to the gender of the user seated on the seatportion 110.

[0049] Here, the band of the vibration generated from the respectivevibrating units 150, 150, which is varied according to the gender of theuser, is made −6 dB at 125 Hz in the case of the male and −6 dB at 100Hz in the case of the female, so that the continuity of sound can bemade good.

[0050] Incidentally, in the case where the user is male, it ispreferable that the band of the vibration generated from the secondvibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 135 Hz(not less than −6 dB). This is because there occurs such a disadvantagethat if the band of the vibration is higher than 135 Hz, a sound band isreproduced so that a voice is heard from under the seat portion 114.Besides, in view of the continuity of sound with the first vibratingunits 140 as full band speakers, it is further preferable that the bandof the vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150 is notless than 0 Hz and not higher than 130 Hz (not less than −6 dB).Further, in view of an affinity with the sound apparatus 100 of thisembodiment, it is further preferable that the band of the vibrationgenerated from the second vibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz andnot higher than 125 Hz (not less than −6 dB).

[0051] On the other hand, in the case where the user is female, it ispreferable that the band of the vibration generated from the secondvibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz and not higher than 125 Hz(not less than −6 dB). This is because there occurs such a disadvantagethat if the band of the vibration is higher than 125 Hz, the sound bandis reproduced, so that a voice is heard from under the seat portion 114.Besides, in view of the continuity of sound with the first vibratingunits 140 as the full band speakers, it is further preferable that theband of the vibration generated from the second vibrating units 150 isnot less than 0 Hz and not higher than 110 Hz (not less than −6 dB).Further, In view of an affinity with the sound apparatus 100 of thisembodiment, it is further preferable that the band of the vibrationgenerated from the second vibrating units 150 is not less than 0 Hz andnot higher than 100 Hz (not lower than −6 dB).

[0052]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic example of a systemwhen an image apparatus 10 such as a television and a disk apparatus 20such as a DVD player are connected to the sound apparatus 100.

[0053] A sound output signal from the disk apparatus 20 is inputted to arear line input terminal (Rear LINE IN) 161 of the control unit 160 anda front line input terminal (Front LINE IN) 162, and is inputted throughan input selection switch (Input Select) 163 to a speaker amplifier(stereo) 164 and a low-pass filer (LPF) 165.

[0054] The sound signal inputted to the speaker amplifier (stereo) 164is amplified, is inputted to a phase control circuit (phase control)166, and is controlled to a phase selected by the user through a phasecontrol terminal 167. Then, the sound signal is outputted from speakeroutput terminals (Int SP OUT, Ext SP OUT) 168, 169, and is inputted tothe respective first vibrating units 140, 140. By this, the sound of allsound area is generated from the respective first vibrating units 140and 140.

[0055] Besides, the sound signal inputted to the low-pass filter (LPF)165 is separated by the band selected by the user through a band controlterminal 170, is inputted to a vibrating unit amplifier 171, and isamplified. Then, the sound signal is outputted from a transducer outputterminal (Vt transducer OUT) 172, and is inputted to the respectivesecond vibrating units 150, 150. By this, the sound of the low soundarea is generated from the respective second vibrating units 150, 150.

[0056] In this sort of system, when the disk apparatus 20 is, forexample, a DVD player of 5.1 ch, by allocating 0.1 ch to the respectivesecond vibrating units 150, 150, a powerful effective sound can be felt.

[0057] In the case where the picture and sound are appreciated by thesystem of such structure, the user sits in the seat portion 110, turnson the respective power supply switches of the image apparatus 10, thedisk apparatus 20, and the control unit 160, and adjusts the bands ofthe respective second vibrating units 150, 150 to user's own genderthrough the band control terminal 170 of the control unit 160.

[0058] The vibration of all sound area of the sound synchronized withthe picture displayed on the image apparatus 10 is transmitted throughthe air and reaches the user from the respective vibrating units 140,140. At this time, the user can adjust the phases of the respectivefirst vibrating units 140, 140 through the phase control terminal 167 ofthe control unit 160. By this, since it is possible to cause thevibration in all sound area of the sound to pass through the outside ofboth ears of the user, the user can feel spreading of the sound.

[0059] At the same time, the vibration in the low sound area of thesound synchronized with the picture displayed on the image apparatus istransmitted through the cushion member 112 of the seat portion 110 viaat least one of the main frames 120 from the respective second vibratingunits 150, 150 and reaches the user. Like this, the vibration in the lowsound area of the sound is not directly transmitted to the body of theuser, and the second vibrating units 150 capable of reproducing the lowsound area, which can not be reproduced by a normal speaker, areattached, so that the user can feel the natural and effective low sound.

[0060] Here, the reason why the structure of the main frames 120 of thesound apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the attachment structure of thesecond vibrating units 150, and the structure of the seat portion 110are made the structures shown in FIG. 2, that is, the main frames 120are made the structure with a large ground contact area, the respectivesecond vibrating units 150, 150 are attached apart from the user, andthe seat portion 110 is made the cloth stretching structure, will bedescribed with reference to comparison examples shown in FIG. 5 to FIG.10. Incidentally, the same structural portions as FIG. 2 are designatedby the same numbers.

[0061] A sound apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 5 is a comparison example inwhich a structure of a main frame 220 is formed into a substantiallyC-shape, that is, an open loop shape. When the main frame 220 of thissort of structure is adopted, since an end portion 220 a of the mainframe 220 pushes a floor surface or the like, there is such a defectthat almost all vibration generated by a second vibrating unit 150escapes to the floor surface or the like and only a slight part thereofis transmitted to the user seated on a seat portion 110.

[0062] A sound apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 6 is a comparison example inwhich a second vibrating unit 150 is attached to a rear portion of amain frame 120. When the second vibrating unit 150 of this sort ofattachment structure is adopted, there is such a defect that almost allvibration generated by the second vibrating unit 150 is transmitted toan armrest 141 attached onto an armrest frame 121 and it becomes hard totransmit the vibration to other portions.

[0063] A sound apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 7 is a comparison example inwhich a second vibrating unit 150 is attached to a rear portion of aseat portion 110. When the second vibrating unit 150 of this sort ofattachment structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the userseated on the seat portion 110 excessively feels the vibration generatedby the second vibrating unit 150.

[0064] A sound apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 8 is a comparison example inwhich a connection frame 570 is newly connected and attached between asecond vibrating unit 150 and a seat portion 110. When the secondvibrating unit 150 of this sort of attachment structure is adopted,there is such a defect that the seat portion 110 is abnormally vibratedby the vibration generated by the second vibrating unit 150.

[0065] A sound apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 9 is a comparison example inwhich an upper portion of a seat portion 610, that is, a portion of ahead rest is formed to be high. When the seat portion 610 of this sortof structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the vibrationgenerated by a second vibrating unit 150 is concentrated on the head ofthe user seated on the seat portion 610.

[0066] A sound apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 10 is a comparison example inwhich a pipe 770 for reinforcement is connected between a pair of pipes711, 711 constituting a seat portion 710. When the seat portion 710 ofthis sort of structure is adopted, there is such a defect that the userseated on the seat portion 710 touches the pipe 770.

[0067] According to the sound apparatus 100 as described above, althoughit has been conventionally necessary to carefully adjust the position ofa speaker and the position of a user to obtain the stereo effect ofsound and the 3D effect, the respective first vibrating units 140, 140and the respective second vibrating units 150, 150 are fixed to therespective main frames 120, 120 and the sub-frames 130, 130, the usercan easily obtain the best listening position by the seat portion 110,and the positions are fixed, so that the above-mentioned positionadjustment becomes unnecessary, and the sound image orientation recordedat the time of content production can be accurately and simplyreproduced.

[0068] Besides, conventionally, although a heavy low-pitched sound canbe reproduced only by a super woofer or a large-sized speaker, since thesmall-sized first vibrating units 140, 140 and the respective secondvibrating units 150, 150 are disposed in the near field, the electricpower consumption is low, and it is possible to feel a powerful highquality sound without being influenced by surroundings.

[0069] Besides, conventionally, when seeing and listening is made in anevent or by a number of people, although the sound image orientationrecorded at the time of content production can be reproduced for only aperson seated near the center of the sound apparatus, the sound imageorientation recorded at the time of content production can be reproducedto all participants irrespective of the sitting places.

[0070] Incidentally, the vibrating unit includes, for example, aspeaker, a body sonic (trade name), a body sensory unit, a transducer,and the like. Further, not only the vibrating unit is fixed to theframe, but also the vibrating unit may be housed in the frame.

[0071] Besides, as cushioning materials, there is, for example, urethaneresin, cotton, or so-called sponge.

[0072] Besides, a connecting method of the respective members is notlimited to only fixing by screws, but fixing by a cord, rope or thelike, welding, bonding, or the like may be adopted.

[0073] The sound apparatus 100 of this embodiment can be applied to, forexample, a chair for home theater of DVD software, a chair with a mobileaudio home reproducing apparatus, an audio video chair for an event, achair for relaxation, a chair for music therapy, and the like.

[0074] As described above, according to the present invention, it ispossible to provide a small and low cost sound apparatus in which anexcellent sound effect can be always obtained.

[0075]100 . . . sound apparatus, 110 . . . seat portion, 111 . . . pipe,112 . . . cushion member, 113 . . . backrest portion, 114 . . . stoolportion, 120. . . mainframe, 121. . . armrest frame, 122. . . groundframe, 123 . . . front leg frame, 124 . . . rear leg frame, 130 . . .sub-frame, 140 . . . first vibrating unit, 141 . . . armrest, 150 . . .second vibrating unit, 151 . . . plate, 160 . . . control unit, 161 . .. rear line input terminal, 162 . . . front line input terminal, 163 . .. input selection switch, 164 . . . speaker amplifier, 165 . . .low-pass filter, 166 . . . phase control circuit, 167 . . . phasecontrol terminal, 168 . . . speaker output terminal, 169 . . . speakeroutput terminal, 170 . . . band control terminal, 171 . . . vibrationunit amplifier, 172 . . . transducer output terminal

What is claimed is:
 1. A sound apparatus characterized by comprising: aseat portion having a backrest portion and a stool portion; a pair ofclosed-loop-shaped main frames respectively attached to both side edgesof the seat portion; and a sub-frame including a vibrating unit andconnected to at least one of the main frames, wherein vibrationgenerated from the vibrating unit is transmitted to the seat portionthrough at least one of the main frames.
 2. A sound apparatus accordingto claim 1 , wherein the main frames comprise armrest frames attached toboth side edges of the backrest portion, ground frames, front leg framesattached to both side edges of the stool portion and connected to oneend of the armrest frames and one end of the ground frames, and rear legframes connected to the other end of the armrest frames and the otherend of the ground frames, and wherein one end of the sub-frame isconnected to the front leg frame and the other end is connected to therear leg frame.
 3. A sound apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein thevibrating unit is disposed opposite to the backrest portion and aparttherefrom.
 4. A sound apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a clothis stretched on at least one of the backrest portion and the stoolportion, and the vibration generated from the vibrating unit istransmitted through the cloth to a user seated on the seat portion.
 5. Asound apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a cloth is stretched on afront surface and a rear surface of the backrest portion, and a frontsurface and a rear surface of the stool portion, and a cushion member isinterposed between the front surface and the rear surface of thebackrest portion and between the front surface and the rear surface ofthe stool portion.